One School x One Church = Multiple Lives Changed


One School x One Church = Multiple Lives Changed

Dear Good Samaritan Friends:

Early this school year, my friend Pam asked me to write a few paragraphs on the impact of the Good Samaritan Church and the Royal Manor Elementary partnership.  At first this request appeared so simple, but it was also challenging to find the best measurements.  What is the best way to document our one church and one school partnership?

I started with looking at the statistical impact of our partnership.   Students participating in the Good Samaritan Church-Royal Manor Elementary Wednesday night tutoring program have demonstrated measurable growth in the following areas: 

  • A positive increase in student achievement
  • Improved social skills with students and adults
  • A significant decrease in student discipline episodes

From a numbers stand point; the above data would indicate that our partnership is a success.  Numbers seem so inadequate to truly define the scope of the impact Good Samaritan Church is having on our school community.

Setting aside the summary for a few months gave me time to reflex and search for the words to describe the our partnership’s spiritual impact.  The words to convey the spiritual influence eluded me.   God would share the words for which I searching as I sat in the church where I was baptized, where I wept at my grandmother's funeral, and where I smiled as I saw my wife walking down the aisle on our Wedding day.

A month ago, I held my wife's hand as we sat and listened to the Priest read the Scripture at her Grandmother's funeral.  My wife’s grandmother and grandfather helped me reconnect to my faith many years ago.  Once again the Lord was working through them to help me find the words to truly define the impact that Good Samaritan Church is having on our school community.

A wise man of God read the following Scripture to help us affirm that God worked through Robin's grandmother to make a difference in the lives she touched.   It is in these words from God that I found the meaning of our partnership:

Matthew 25
For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ 37“Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40“The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’

Tears dripped down my cheeks as I realized that it wasn't my words that would be adequate to describe the partnership we share.   It is from a simple Scripture reading at a funeral of a simple lady who dedicated her life to God and the service of others that best explains the impact Good Samaritan Church is having at our school. 

It is truly in the words of Matthew that our partnership is defined:

Matthew 25:40  The King will answer them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it on to Me.'  

The difference our partnership makes cannot be measured by statistics.   It can only be measured by the spiritual difference you are making through giving onto others.  You give of yourself in the service to the Lord:

To feed the hungry
To clothe those in need
To provide school supplies to make children smile
To comfort the discouraged
To provide joy at Christmas
To give instruction to touch a mind
To be a caring voice in a child’s life
To pray for those in need
To be a loving caring Christian role model

I know your Spirit moved me, helped me, and made a difference in my life.   I know that when I look into the eyes of our students and the families that you touch I see the difference you make.   You can see it in the sparkle in their eyes and soft smile on their faces.  You are touching their hearts.  You are Good Samaritans changing their lives.

I thank God for brining us together.  “One Church and One School” making a life long difference in the lives of children and families.  May God bless you and keep you in his grace.

Respectfully,

Rick Oxley,
Principal, Royal Manor Elementary, Gahanna, Ohio

Comments

  1. KarenJune 24, 2012 at 1:56 PM

    You are truly a blessing to your students. I wish all schools had a loving leader like you.

    ReplyDelete

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